Neurodivergent/ASD Community

## Welcome to a safe place to be your authentic self!

Due to the lack of social support for the ASD/neurodivergent individuals, I welcome the opportunity to continue a platform that allows a safe place to fellowship, learn about themselves and locate resources in their community. This community is open to anyone with a legal or self diagnosis of ASD.

This community is safe, and will promote all voices to be heard in a respectable and non confrontational way. Exploration and unmasking will help each individual find a place to be their authentic self.

Here we celebrate neurodiversity through creative safe place exploration.

We are currently meeting virtually every 1st + 3rd Wednesday of every month from 6:00PM - 7:30PM (Central)

We welcome Autistic, Neurodivergent and LGBTIQ folks (18+) to join us in building new friendships, expanding social skills, and growing support systems with similar experienced individuals.

Group Guidelines:

• We are a judgment free zone
• We only share what we are comfortable sharing.
• No one has the right to tell someone else's story.
• You are encouraged to take a break when needed
• We respect group organizers and each participant as equal
• We strive to improve communication and practice non-violent communication
• We avoid making restrictions on speech, this is a hate free open space
• Feedback on the group is welcomed at the end of each group
• We strive to foster solidarity and community by encouraging members to play a leading role in facilitating special topics or activities.
• We will treat each individual as equals, organizers and participants alike.
• We will celebrate each person's unique individuality, self expression and identity
• We will strive to encourage creativity and keep our minds and hearts open
• We will collectively cultivate a safe space for everyone
• We will honor free speech and expression for all topics, while honoring others' boundaries with trigger warnings for sensitive subjects.
• We will be open to adapting and evolving group dynamics and methods
• We will honor different views and respect what we don't understand
• We are a community and will practice acceptance, empathy and inclusion.
• We will honor confidentiality and privacy. What is said in this space will stay here.
• We will strive to cultivate joy and laughter, sadness and tears.
• We will actively listen and honor boundaries for each participant
• We will give everyone the benefit of the doubt to learn from mistakes and improve social communication.
• We will allow participants to express the challenging subjects, difficult truths, and ask the hard questions.
• We will conduct ourselves with candor, kindness and inclusivity.
• We will focus on joy and cultivate laughter, as well as sadness, grief and tears.

Contact me at dione@wcsdfw.com with any comments, ideas, or concerns.